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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-27-2009 02:16 PM

bj66

german steel rules!

while working in a shop where we fabricated buckets for loaders and backhoes from stock, we found that the drill bits just don't hold up in 3/4 stock at all. none of them. oiled or dry same result. later on my boss bought a few very used german steel bits, some more than an inch wide. resharpened and cleaned up they have lasted over 3 years without breaking or bending at all. then I bought a set from 1/16 to 3/8 , german steel, and they have not needed a sharpening yet. they did cost more though. it was worth it to finish the jobs without shopping trips.

11-14-2009 07:57 PM

Gear~head

I never bother with cobalt or titanium coated bits. I like the jobber length HSS, 118% drill bits. Easy to sharpen by hand, or smaller ones (3/16" or less) are cheap enough to toss. The only time I pay for premium split points is for drilling thinner gauge stainless.

11-05-2009 09:34 AM

302 Z28

[QUOTE=Old Rotor Flap]

I think Ti coated drills from China have more to do with perception than quality. Ti coatings are designed improve tool life in a controlled setting. The only real way to make the Ti coating cost effective is to run the drill in a CNC Mill where feeds and speeds can be acutately controlled. This can't be done with the average drill press or hand-held drill.
[QUOTE]

Also those CNC drill bits are continually flooded with cooling/cutting fluid which we traditionally do not employ in our hobby.

You can specify the level of quality you want when dealing with the Chinese or most any other offshore vendors. Where things fall apart is when American companies merely have existing Chinese products repackaged under their name with regard more for the bottom line than quality. If only the Chinese would use the same poor quality in their own nuclear weapons program. They'd blow themselves up. Yipee!

I think Ti coated drills from China have more to do with perception than quality. Ti coatings are designed improve tool life in a controlled setting. The only real way to make the Ti coating cost effective is to run the drill in a CNC Mill where feeds and speeds can be acutately controlled. This can't be done with the average drill press or hand-held drill.

I guessing Ti coated 9C drills are pretty much the same quality as the uncoated drills and have been Ti coated for profitabllity, not endurance.

11-04-2009 07:48 PM

Irelands child

That's exactly what I do - the Drill Doctor does a great job but they are a bit tricky to use and get the right 'heel' angle

11-04-2009 05:31 PM

scotzz

What about just buying a regular set of black oxide along with a Drill Doctor and sharpen as needed??

10-31-2009 04:54 PM

eloc431962

I have sears bits and dewalt and both have been good to me but i do like the dewalt better though, But either are fine IMO. ....Cole

10-31-2009 04:52 PM

oldred

I have bought quite a few Craftsman bits and unless quality has slipped recently they are hard to beat for the cost. Certainly there are better bits and it just depends on how much you want to spend and what you intend to do with them but for general all-around use Craftsman bits work just fine. TiN (Titanium) bits work really good and are cost effective for general use with Cobalt being more costly but better suited to drilling hardened steels and abrasive metals like cast iron.

10-31-2009 04:44 PM

oldred

Quote:

Originally Posted by weirdbeard

My friend bought some imported bits that would not break. They bent! That is a sign of quality.

It sure is, but what KIND of quality?

10-31-2009 10:27 AM

weirdbeard

My friend bought some imported bits that would not break. They bent! That is a sign of quality.

10-31-2009 10:07 AM

Irelands child

You can always take a look in the McMaster Carr web catalog. Most of the drill bits that I've bought from them in the past have been US made - but of course, that can change

It would depend on what you were using them for. If you are just using them for general grunt work, and not thinking about sharpening them, they should do you fine. If you use them on a regular basis and like to keep a keen edge on all your bits, I would look for something else. The titanium and cobalt is just in the coating.

I have a set of Milwaukee's that I had for over 35 years and have supplimented these with general use bits from Craftsman, Chinese, etc.but my complete index of bits for 'good' use, is the Milwaukee's.

If you are doing drilling in 1/4" and under material, go for the multi- bit with four or five different sizes in one.

10-31-2009 09:01 AM

302 Z28

To be perfectly honest, I do not like Chinese products....but Sears and Craftsman in particular seem to be insisting on quality from their offshore manufacturer. I unknowingly bought some Craftsman tools that were made in China and they are fine.

Vince

10-31-2009 08:26 AM

onebadmerc

You might check out the Norseman bits, I have a set and they have held up pretty well.